Incoming flight: Obama to land at Worcester Airport

Friday

Jun 6, 2014 at 6:00 AMJun 9, 2014 at 10:21 AM

By Bob Kievra TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

When Air Force One touches down in Massachusetts Wednesday, it will be in area code 508.

President Barack Obama, slated to be the commencement speaker at Worcester Technical High School's graduation Wednesday, will land at Worcester Regional Airport and proceed by motorcade to the DCU Center, officials said this afternoon.

"It's a great thing for the city, it's a great thing for Worcester Airport," said City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr., who helped coordinate President Bill Clinton's 1998 visit to the city.

White House planning officials were in the city Thursday, doing advance work for Mr. Obama's 4 p.m. address to Worcester Technical graduates.

The Federal Aviation Administration has imposed flight restrictions in the Worcester area for part of Wednesday.

U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, said he advised the White House to have the city's own airport be the destination for Air Force One, as opposed to landing at Logan International Airport in Boston.

Worcester Regional Airport, which is operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority, languished for several years after losing commercial passenger service. That changed last year when JetBlue launched twice daily service to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. JetBlue said more than 60,000 passengers have since used the flights.

"All systems are go for the president to land at Worcester Airport," said Mr. McGovern. "This is a regional airport that is making a comeback. Symbolically and practically it makes sense."

MassPort Chief Executive Thomas P. Glynn said any remaining airport skeptics should take notice of President Obama's visit.

"This is a first class airport," said Mr. Glynn. "The White House could have gone to Logan. I think it's another milestone in the legitimacy of Worcester Airport in the minds of the traveling public."

News of Mr. Obama's travel plans came as city, JetBlue and MassPort officials gathered at the airport yesterday afternoon to honor valedictorians from schools in Worcester, Auburn and Leicester. The valedictorians each received two round-trip JetBlue tickets in recognition of their academic achievements.